The best thing that we're put here for's to see;
The strongest thing that's given us to see with's
a telescope. Someone in every town
seems to me owes it to the town to keep one.
In Littleton it may as well be me.

- Robert Frost
from the collection New Hampshire, 1923

The NHAS's Library Telescope Program is the recipient of the Out-of-this-world Award
from Astronomy Magazine for outstanding public programming.

These words from Robert Frost's poem, "The Star-Splitter" so eloquently summarize the idea behind NHAS's Library Scope Program.

The New Hampshire Astronomical Society, and particularly its Educational Outreach Committee, started placing telescopes and educational
materials in selected libraries in New Hampshire beginning in December 2008. Our goal: To help foster scientific literacy, stimulate an
interest in astronomy, and provide people who have never looked through a telescope the chance to experience the excitement that comes from
discovery.

From a humble beginning of two scopes placed in 2008 followed by ten in 2009 and a further four in the first half of 2010, the program has
grown beyond our own expectations.

Theresa Caswell &amp Lauri Gaudet of the Gale Library,
Newton, NH

Placing the telescopes in local public libraries instead of just schools, allows greater general access to the scope since they can be put
into circulation just as a book.

Where applicable, a local Club member acts as a foster parent to the scope. He or she will periodically clean and adjust the telescope,
and act as a local astronomical resource to the library patrons. Additionally, a library member or student from a local school could be
engaged as an apprentice astronomer to provide needed care to the scope.

Langdon Public Library, Newington, NH

NHAS has selected the Orion StarBlast 4.5-inch Astronomical Telescope for the libraries, along with a zoom eye piece and supportive
material. We have re-written the instruction manual and provide a laminated, spiral-bound 4 by 6 inch copy with each scope. The telescope
is easy to use and is robust. There is nothing to assemble. It has a wooden base, not the usual spindly tripod legs. The telescope is of
manageable size, but has a relatively large optical tube. This means that the Moon and deep sky objects will show far more detail than one
could see with the common "beginners" telescopes. It also has a large field of view that allows the object to stay in the eyepiece longer.
This is a quality instrument, reviewed by a number of astronomical publications and found quite worthy.

Funding for the scopes has come from a variety of sources: the NHAS general budget, some specific donations from members, the public
through donations at Skywatches, and library patrons interested in giving something to their communities. While
we have presented a few libraries with outright gifts, the majority of the libraries have opted to purchase their telescope with their own
funds, accepting the club's guidance and support.

The Library Telescope Program continues to be very well received. Each participating library typically has a waiting list for their
telescopes, and most have set up book displays with the telescope as a centerpiece.

We at NHAS are very proud of the success of the program and are delighted to provide an opportunity to further share our love of the
night sky in this unique way. Thank you for visiting and taking an interest in our work. Please feel free to copy this program and the
materials about the project (attribution would be appreciated). Let us know about your thoughts regarding the
LTP and if you start one of your own.